Six lakes were identified as impaired in the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District in 2002 and 2004. The lakes are all listed as impaired with respect to aquatic recreation, due to excess nutrients. Some of the lakes are used for swimming and have public swimming beaches. Other lakes are not used for swimming, and being supportive of swimming is not a goal of some of the lakes. The aquatic recreation goals for many of these lakes include boating, fishing, and aesthetic enjoyment.

Several of the lakes have also been listed for PCBs or mercury fish consumption advisories, but are not assessed in this report because of the regional correction program being implemented through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).